Employment has seen the largest quarterly rise since records began over 40 years ago and the unemployment rate has fallen again to a new 5-year low, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) this morning.

The number of people in a job rose 283,000 in the last 3 months – the largest quarterly increase in 43 years. Employment increased by 722,000 on the year – almost the population of Leeds – meaning a record 30.43 million people are in work. Creating jobs and supporting enterprise as the economy grows are central to the government’s long-term plan to help hardworking people secure their future.

The number of unemployed young people fell by 48,000 in the last 3 months, and has been falling now for the last 8 months. Youth unemployment excluding those in full-time education is now at its lowest level since 2008.

Minister for Employment Esther McVey said:

As the recovery takes hold, more people are able to get a job or set up their own business and become the employers of tomorrow. Each and every person who has made a new start or hired someone new is helping to make Britain a more prosperous and confident place to be.

We will continue to support those in and out of work who want to get on and fulfil their ambitions for a more secure future.

This month’s figures also show that UK nationals made up over three-quarters of the rise in employment in the last year.

Unemployment fell by 133,000 in the last 3 months, with the unemployment rate falling again – down to 6.8% – the lowest it has been since early 2009. Long-term unemployment also fell, down by 32,000 in the last 3 months and down by 89,000 on year.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) fell by 25,100 last month and is down 399,600 on year. The number of people claiming JSA for more than 12 months fell by 93,200 on the year – the largest annual fall since 1998. The number of young people claiming JSA has been falling for the last 23 months.

Job vacancies rose again, up 116,000 over the past year bringing the number of vacancies in the UK economy to 628,000.

Through our network of over 700 Jobcentres, work coaches up and down the country are successfully helping people to improve their skills and experience so they can move off benefits and into a job.

Background to labour market statistics: May 2014

This month’s Labour Force Survey covers January 2014 to March 2014. The claimant count is for April 2014 and the vacancy count for February 2014 to April 2014.

The number of people in work rose this quarter:

30.43 million people were in work in January to March 2014

the employment level rose 283,000 on the previous quarter and 722,000 on the year

the employment rate is 72.7%, up 0.6 points on the quarter and up 1.3 points on the year